Dance and music plays a major part in war. It helps people express themselves, their culture, and personalities. Dance and music influenced men to join the army and fight for their countries.
During the teens and early 1920's, popular dances included the Jitterbug, the Foxtrot, Tango and Charleston. Popular music of the time incuded such favorites as Ball in the Jack, Shine On Harvest Moon and By The Light of the Moon.
During the 1940's, popular songs included It's a Long Way to Tipperary, and Alexander's Ragtime Band. Three dances that stood out are Swing, Salsa and the Mambo, and many people danced them.
Music of the 40's:
a
Different styles of 1940's Dance.
Swing Dancing
Swing dancing is all about personal expression and style. There is no absolute “right” way to perform steps and patterns. Swing dance locates its roots and origins in the spontaneous dances of gifted improvisers to the music of Ragtime Piano, Jazz, and Dixieland, beginning roughly at the turn of the 20th century. Swing dancing has been called America’s most important contribution to the world of dance and was the first dance invented entirely by Americans.
Salsa
Salsa is a term used to refer to both Hispanic musical rhythms specifically from Central America and the Caribbean as well as a social dance. It is performed, in most cases, by two partners of the opposite sex. All Latin Dances share this dance format and a characteristic cadence.
Men's Salsa steps:
- Start with both of your feet together.
- 1.) Hold the beat.
- 2.) Step forward with your left foot.
- 3.) Rock back onto your right foot.
- 4 ) Step back with your left foot.
- 5.) Hold the beat.
- 6.) Step back with the right foot.
- 7.) Rock forward onto your left foot.
- 8 ) Step forward with your right foot. Repeat Step 1.
Womens Salsa steps:
- 5.) Hold the beat.
- 2.) Step back with the right foot.
- 3.) Rock forward onto your left foot.
- 4 ) Step forward with your right foot.
- 5.) Hold the beat.
- 6.) Step forward with the left foot.
- 7.) Rock back onto your right foot.
- 8 ) Step back with your left foot. Repeat step 1.
Mambo
Mambo is a partnered dance, danced in both open and closed dance holds. Typical mambo tempo is 36–52 bars per minute. Mambo is a 1940’s dance style similar to Salsa; dancers break on beat two.
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”Mambo”— Basic Step
- 1) Step forward on the left foot.
- 2) Replace weight onto the right foot.
- 3,4) Close left foot to right foot.
- 5) Step backwards on the right foot.
- 6) Replace weight onto the left foot.
- 7, 8) Close right foot to the left foot.
Swing Dancing
Salsa steps
Salsa Dancing
Mambo